We applaud these efforts and encourage everyone to support the work of international, national, local governments and conservation organizations in our efforts to create a healthy ocean – for all of us.

For more on the Department of State’s first-ever Our Ocean conference, click here.

After announcing our first hatchling in late February, Aquarium staff have been very excited to see so many additional hatchlings emerge! The National Aquarium is the only Aquarium in the United States to house this turtle species. This occasion marks the first time any facility has successfully bred northern Australian snapping turtles!

All of our hatchlings are doing great – staff have observed them exhibiting lots of healthy behavior like swimming and basking in the open. The team will continue to monitor and care for these babies behind-the-scenes until they’re are grown enough to transition into the exhibit habitats.

These 180 species of biofluorescent fish glow in a wide range of colors and patterns. The science community is still hypothesizing over the exact purpose of the light, potential uses include everything from communication to mating.

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Did you know? Although it covers more than 70 percent of our planet’s surface, over 90 percent of the ocean remains unexplored. In that uncharted world, experts believe that up to two-thirds of the ocean’s plant and animal species still await our discovery!

To get more information on AMNH’s research on biofluorescence, click here.

In many ways, the creation of our newest exhibit is the mark of an exciting new chapter for our organization. As Center Maryland’s Damien O’ Doherty put it, “You’re not just seeing a new exhibit, in many ways you’re seeing a new Aquarium.”

As a 33-year-old institution, our hometown of Baltimore and the State of Maryland have integral parts of what we have been able to accomplish and what we continue to do in the community and the Chesapeake Bay region.

A new species of epaulette (carpet) shark was recently discovered off the coast of an island in Indonesia!

New species of epaulette shark. Photo via Conservation International.

The walking shark, Hemiscyllium halamhera, was first seen walking along the sea floor by divers in 2008. Only recently has it been officially recognized as a new species.

This is the third walking shark species found in Indonesia in the past six years! Walking sharks use their fins to navigate along the sea floor in search of small fish and crustaceans. Watch a walking shark do its thing:

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Although new species are discovered almost daily, this finding has given the conservation community new hope for the future of Indonesia’s elasmobranchs (sharks and rays). The local government and emerging dive tourism industry are excited by this discovery and have taken precautions to protect these sharks!

There are nine known species of walking shark in the world, all of which inhabit the shallow waters of very restricted ranges.

Got a question about this new discovery for our experts? Ask them in the comments section!